Chromium: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Cr
Scientific name(s)
chromium
Family or group:
Minerals and trace elements
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Chromium deficiency ✪✪✪✪✪
Symptomatic chromium deficiency is rare. When it does occur, it is most often due to malnutrition, pregnancy, stress, or long-term use of total parenteral nutrition that is low in chromium. Symptoms include severe glucose intolerance, weight loss, and metabolic encephalopathy. Dietary chromium intake has been estimated for different age groups. According to the Afssa, median dietary chromium intakes ranged from 25 µg/day in infants aged 1 to 3 years, 35 µg/day in children aged 4 to 6 years, 40 µg/day in children aged 7 to 9 years, 45 µg/day in children aged 10 to 12 years, 50 µg/day in adolescents aged 13 to 19 years, and 55 to 70 µg/day in adults from the age of 20 years.
Posologie
Oral
25 - 70 µg
chromium picolinate
Type 2 diabetes ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical data show that oral intake of chromium picolinate can decrease fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, insulin levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), as well as increase insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Analysis of 10 to 18 clinical studies shows that chromium consumption can reduce HbA1C by up to 0.6% and fasting blood glucose by up to 18 mg/dL. In patients with type 2 diabetes, chromium has been used at a dose of 200 to 1000 µg per day as a single or multiple dose.
Posologie
Orally
200 - 1000 µg
chromium picolinate
Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on serum triglyceride levels in NIDDM.
Glucose and insulin responses to dietary chromium supplements: a meta-analysis.
Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
Effect of chromium supplementation on blood glucose and lipid levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus elderly patients.
Chromium treatment has no effect in patients with poorly controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes in an obese Western population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Elevated intakes of supplemental chromium improve glucose and insulin variables in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Beneficial effects of oral chromium picolinate supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized clinical study.
Dyslipidemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Some clinical research has shown that taking chromium picolinate providing chromium at 15 to 200 µg per day for 6 to 12 weeks reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in patients with high cholesterol or hyperlipidemia compared with placebo. Other clinical studies show that daily intake of 250 µg of chromium as chromium chloride for 7 to 16 months decreases triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in patients with atherosclerosis, compared with placebo.
Posologie
Oral
15 - 250 µg
16 - months
chromium picolinate
The effect of chromium picolinate on serum cholesterol and apolipoprotein fractions in human subjects.
The effects of chromium supplementation on serum glucose and lipids in patients with and without non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Depression ✪✪✪✪✪
Clinical studies have shown that taking 400 µg of chromium picolinate per day for 2 weeks, followed by 600 µg per day for an additional 6 weeks, improves remission rates compared with placebo in patients with atypical depression.
Posologie
Oral
400 - 600 µg
8 - weeks
chromium picolinate
Polycystic ovary syndrome ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 1000 mcg of chromium picolinate in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, for 6 months, in combination with diet and exercise, increases insulin sensitivity, decreases body mass index, and improves ovulation rates and the frequency of regular menstrual cycles compared with placebo. Results from studies on the effect of chromium at lower doses remain inconsistent.
Posologie
Oral
1000 µg
6 months
Women
chromium picolinate
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
Since chromium plays a role in maintaining carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, it has been suggested that chromium supplementation could have a positive impact on body composition, notably by reducing fat mass and increasing lean mass. A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials concluded that chromium picolinate had a relatively small effect on reducing body weight compared with placebo. One study, however, showed promising results using 200 mcg of chromium bound to niacin (600 mcg/day) with moderate exercise. At these high doses, while the overall reduction in body weight was similar in the chromium and placebo groups, total fat loss was greater in the chromium group, suggesting a muscle-preserving effect. Other studies using chromium picolinate (equivalent to 200 mcg and 1000 mcg/day) were unable to reproduce these effects. A meta-analysis of 20 studies found a small but significant difference in weight loss (1 kg) compared with placebo for studies of at least 16 weeks duration, but not for shorter studies.
Posologie
Orally
200 µg
Chromium picolinate
The potential value and toxicity of chromium picolinate as a nutritional supplement, weight loss agent and muscle development agent
Chromium picolinate for reducing body weight: meta-analysis of randomized trials
Chromium picolinate supplementation in women: effects on body weight, composition, and iron status
Properties
Essential
Chromium is an essential mineral obtained from the diet. It is found in trace amounts in plant products, particularly cereals. Chromium is an essential trace element for carbohydrate metabolism in humans. It combines with other compounds such as vitamin B3 and with amino acids to form a complex, dinicotinic glutathione acid, also called FTG, the glucose tolerance factor.
Usages associés
Hypoglycemic
Chromium regulates insulin in the body. The primary mechanism of chromium is directly related to chromodulin, which is an endogenous oligopeptide that contains chromium and positively influences insulin receptor signaling in the presence of insulin. The potency of chromodulin in enhancing insulin signaling correlates with the amount of chromium bound to it. Chromium itself does not appear to directly influence the insulin receptor the way chromodulin can. Indeed, chromium does not affect insulin receptor expression levels or insulin binding to the insulin receptor. Other clinical studies have shown that chromium supplementation may promote improved insulin sensitivity in those who are already insulin resistant. Additionally, chromium supplementation may help lower blood glucose, particularly in people with low dietary chromium intake. Looking at the overall data on people with type II diabetes, there appears to be a slight reduction in fasting blood glucose despite the apparent lack of changes in insulin sensitivity or HbA1c in several studies. No significant or reliable effect in non-diabetic individuals.
Usages associés
Neurological
Chromium may act on the brain's hunger receptors. Some research suggests that chromium can sensitize the brain to insulin-sensitive glucoreceptors, resulting in appetite suppression, activation of the sympathetic nervous system, and stimulation of thermogenesis.
Antioxidant
An antioxidant effect may be possible in people with diabetes who have a high baseline HbA1c or in people with polycystic ovary syndrome. Indeed, in human studies, chromium supplementation significantly reduced protein carbonyl levels (a marker of protein oxidation) compared with baseline values in diabetic patients. Another study in diabetic patients reported an improvement in plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) (a biomarker of lipid peroxidation). In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, chromium would lower malondialdehyde levels (a chemical compound marker of oxidative stress).
Antidepressant
Preliminary clinical research suggests that chromium reduces the response to serotonin receptor stimulation, which may produce antidepressant activity. A case series of adults with persistent depressive disorder shows that chromium supplementation can improve response to antidepressants, such as sertraline and amitriptyline, in patients with inadequate response.
Usages associés
Lipid-lowering
Chromium appears to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, a hepatic enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism.
Usages associés
Metabolic
Clinical research shows that ingestion of chromium picolinate reduces cravings, food intake, and hunger, which can lead to weight loss. Chromium may induce these effects by affecting the brain's hunger receptors. Some research suggests that chromium may sensitize insulin-sensitive glucose receptors in the brain, leading to appetite suppression, activation of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of thermogenesis, and downregulation of insulin secretion.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Pregnant woman: 60 µg
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ingesting more than 200 µg of chromium per day.
Breastfeeding woman: 55 µg
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ingesting more than 200 µg of chromium per day.
Child aged 1 to 3 years: 25 µg
Child aged 4 to 6 years: 35 µg
Child aged 7 to 9 years: 40 µg
Child aged 10 to 12 years: 45 µg
Child aged 13 to 19 years: 50 µg
Man aged 20 to 65 years: 65 µg
Woman aged 20 to 65 years: 55 µg
Man aged 66 years and older: 70 µg
Woman aged 66 years and older: 60 µg
Interactions
Médicaments
Antidiabetic medications: moderate interaction
Chromium may lower blood glucose. Thus, it can produce additive effects with antidiabetic medications and increase the risk of hypoglycemia. Dose adjustments of antidiabetic medications may be necessary.
Acetylsalicylic acid: weak interaction
Animal research suggests that acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) may increase absorption and blood levels of chromium. Theoretically, this could lead to an excess of this trace element.
Levothyroxine: moderate interaction
Chromium is thought to bind levothyroxine in the intestinal tract, thereby reducing its absorption. Advise patients to take levothyroxine at least 30 minutes before or 3-4 hours after taking chromium.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug: weak interaction
There is some evidence that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase serum chromium levels by increasing its absorption and retention.
Plantes ou autres actifs
Chromium: moderate interaction
Herbs containing chromium may increase the risk of chromium toxicity when taken chronically or with chromium-containing supplements. Herbs that contain chromium include bilberry, brewer's yeast, cascara, horsetail, etc.
Precautions
Psychiatric disorders: avoid
Theoretically, chromium picolinate preparations could worsen psychiatric disorders. Indeed, the picolinic acid contained in these preparations can alter the metabolism of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.
Type 2 diabetes: use with caution
Chromium has a hypoglycemic effect. It can therefore increase insulin sensitivity. Theoretically, this trace element could increase the risk of hypoglycemia if used with other antidiabetic drugs. Dosage adjustments of antidiabetic medications may be necessary.
Hepatic impairment: avoid
Chromium, in its polynicotinate form, has been linked to hepatotoxicity in at least three cases. Theoretically, it could exacerbate symptoms in patients with hepatic impairment. Supplementation should be avoided in this case.
Renal impairment: avoid
At least three cases of kidney injury have been reported in patients who took chromium picolinate. Theoretically, chromium could exacerbate the symptoms of renal insufficiency.
Contraindications
Allergies: contraindicated
Chromium supplements can cause allergic reactions in people with a chromate allergy, including dermatitis and erythema.
